Remote Working During COVID-19

Arranging and Managing Your Alternate and WFH Working Arrangements

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, companies big and small all over the globe have rolled out mandatory work-from-home policies to limit social interaction, encourage social distancing, and ensure that employees will be able to do work without a lessened risk of contracting COVID-19.

But is it that simple? Can an entire workforce who have worked all their lives in offices transition to working from home just like that? In the weeks after the earliest stay-at-home policies were implemented, many staff have cited a lack of productivity in the comfort of their homes, difficulty coping with only remote communication, and the rigours of isolation. While seemingly a simple matter, there's more to working from home (WFH) than meets the eye.

When it comes to Working from Home, we will be dealing with 3 major categories to ease staff into productive delivery even in these trying times.

Infrastructure

Do all employees have the necessary equipment in their homes for remote working?
Do they have a designated working area, the proper telecommunication software, and physical equipment like printers and scanners to work with?
Does the organization deal with sensitive and/or classified information that may complicate things from work-from-home employees.

All these are questions that need to be answered before remote working arrangements can be activated.

Mindset Shift

There's no denying that Working in the Office and Working from Home (WFH) are 2 very different experiences.
Remote employees are required to more efficiently manage themselves, their time, set their own schedules, and perform business functions without the constant supervision of a manager.

Communication

Remote working lacks the intimate human element that comes with visibly working in the same office with your colleagues.
However, there are ways to mitigate the isolation and enhance communication with those you work with.